Last,DefinitivelyNotLeast
Å is the endpoint of European Route E10, and the outermost point in Lofoten that you can drive to without taking a ferry. This traditional, old fishing village is stunning and rich in culture. But why are there Italian signs here?
Photo: Piotr Musioł on Unsplash
Å on the island of Moskenesøya is the furthest fishing village in Lofoten. The fishermen’s cabins and piers are lined up, but there are only around 60 residents here. Traditionally, people here have worked with fish, especially stockfish.
Considering a move?
Freysta members can explore local job opportunities and connect directly with representatives from the village. Feel free to get in touch whether you’re actively looking or just curious. It is completely free. And ad free.
Become a Freysta member →
Stockfish is Norway’s oldest export commodity and has become a protected brand in the EU, like champagne and Roquefort cheese. Fishing villages in Lofoten, including Å, have delivered world-class stockfish to countries in Southern Europe, especially Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Croatia.
In Norway, stockfish is used to make lutefisk and as a snack; other parts of the world consider it a premium delicacy and use it in various dishes.
Photo by Sandro Kradolfer on Unsplash
Thus, the village of Å has strong ties to Southern Europe, which explains the Italian sign hanging on a garage door: ‘Si vende stoccafisso – stockfish for sale.’ A stone’s throw away lies the only museum of its kind, the Lofoten Stockfish Museum. Here, visitors learn about the entire process from the moment the cod and codfish swim in the sea, are caught, processed, hung on racks (a type of stand), and dried. The result is ready-to-eat stockfish. The museum tells the story of an important cultural heritage for Å, and tourists flock to it.
The Lofoten Stockfish Museum — the only museum of its kind in the world. Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
There has been a shift towards less fishing and more tourism in Å in recent years. The magnificent scenery attracts people from all over the world, and Å offers over 500 accommodation options including fishermen’s cabins, sea houses, campsites, apartments, and hostels.
This quaint village is also home to the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum, one of the most comprehensive and well-preserved fishing villages in Northern Norway. Here, you can stroll among buildings from the 1800s, including a boathouse, a fisherman’s cabin, a bakery, a blacksmith’s shop, a post office, and a cod-liver oil factory.
Photo: Jojo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
As you may know, Å is the last letter in the Norwegian alphabet. The village with the same name also marks the end of the Norwegian Scenic Route Lofoten. The spectacular journey culminates in Å, where you can gaze out over the ocean towards the islands of Mosken and Værøy, with the steep mountains of Moskenesøya behind you.
It’s worth mentioning that the nearest airport to Å is Leknes Airport, located 66 kilometers away.
The wild nature and rich cultural history of Å make this village anything but a last resort.
Photo: Piotr Musioł on Unsplash
Local stories and traditions that give Å its distinct character.
Services, activities, and amenities available in Å and within a short drive.
Å sits at the very end of European Route E10 on the island of Moskenesøya in Lofoten. A traditional fishing village of around 60 residents, known for its stockfish heritage, museums, and dramatic mountain scenery.
Send a message directly to a local village representative — someone who knows the community and can help with your questions.
Sending a message requires a free Freysta membership. Messaging is always free too.
Freysta matches you with villages based on what you’re looking for — jobs, lifestyle, and community.
Completely free — and always will be.
Freysta Portal for Members
Freysta shows real job openings from across Norway — each one linked to a specific village. Explore a position and get to know the place around it, all in one view.
Describe what matters to you — nature, services, activities — and Freysta shows you villages that fit. Not a score. A starting point.
Freysta makes it easy to start a direct conversation with participating villages on the platform. Message village representatives, ask questions, and share documents — all in one place. In some cases, villages may also reach out to you if they think you could be a good match.
Dialogue happens when there’s mutual interest — on your terms.
You set up a profile — in minutes
You choose what matters to you in a place to live, along with your background and job interests. You can add more details later if you want.
You see villages and jobs that match you
Explore Norwegian villages that fit your preferences, with live updates on job openings in rural areas that match your skills.
Villages and employers may reach out
Village representatives and local employers can view your profile and contact you if they think there’s a good match.
You can get job alerts if you want
Receive notifications when new jobs are posted in villages you’re interested in — or turn alerts off at any time.
You can start conversations when it feels right
If you want to, you can also contact villages directly through the platform.
Simple, human matchmaking — always free for people who want to move to a Norwegian village.
Answers to common questions about everyday life in Å.
Main photo on top by Joshua Kettle on Unsplash
Text by Marion Solheim, journalist and co-founder of Freysta.
